LSU linebacker Devin White made no bones about it - he would love to play in Detroit, especially alongside former Florida Gators star Jarrad Davis. The NFL combine can seemingly make or break a player. Some players' stock can drop. Others, who were not high on the radar for many teams, can rise. Either way, there is no such thing as a “perfect” or “safe” pick.
Nevertheless, the tape on LSU’s Devin White shows that he is a beast on the field. Adding him on defense could be just what the Lions need to strengthen their growing linebacker core.
Patricia puts White to the test
When LSU linebacker Devin White spoke for the first time at the NFL combine this week it was with the Detroit Lions.
According to a Freep report, White said he was put to work within seconds of him walking into the Lions hotel suite. White was tossed a marker and told to start breaking down defenses on a dry-erase board.
“They put me on the board as soon as I got in there," White said Saturday. Coach Patricia told White that he knows LSU likes to run his type of defense. So Patricia told White to draw an under front and explain what everybody’s doing.
Not only did White seem excited to do so, but he also said he believes he knocked the interview “out of the park.”
Lions defense appeals to White
While the Detroit Lions finished at a disappointing 6-10 in 2018, they did dramatically improve on the defensive side of the ball.
Under coach Matt Patricia, Detroit jumped from No. 27 overall in the league to No. 10. Adding someone of White's caliber could make the defense even stronger in 2019.
White was amongst the top tacklers in the SEC in 2018 with 123. 62 of those were solo tackles and 12 were for losses. In 2017 White had 133 total tackles which indicated that there is some consistency there.
So with just over one month to go until the 2019 NFL Draft takes place, could White become the new front runner for the Lions? The 21-year-old from Springhill, LA is regarded as the top stack linebacker in the draft. There is a chance that he may not even be on the board before the Lions make their selection at No. 8 in the first round on April 25.
Nevertheless, White said his visit with Detroit was great and said he'd welcome the opportunity and love to play in Detroit. Last season Detroit selected Frank Ragnow out of Arkansas with their first selection at 20th overall and that pick has been pretty solid. Running back Kerryon Johnson was the Lions second-round pick and he also has shown signs of greatness for Detroit.
The theme in last season's draft seemed to be offense early on. This year that may be reversed and White may be the man the Lions are targeting.